June

Blog Posts in June, 2015

​In New York, the rules of the road require drivers to exercise ordinary care in operating their vehicles. A driver may be held liable for “ordinary negligence” if he or she fails to observe basic traffic rules. But these standards are not necessarily applicable to government-owned vehicles. A police car or an ambulance responding to an emergency, for example, may disregard traffic laws in a ...

Many New York homeowners are faced with two mortgages they can no longer afford to pay. In many cases, the amount they owe to the bank far exceeds the current market value of their homes. In order to avoid foreclosure, debtors frequently turn to the federal bankruptcy courts. But a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision should serve as a warning to homeowners that even “underwater” mortgages may not ...

The Justice Department's recent indictments against several members of soccer's international governing body has sparked interest from around the world. But another recent soccer-related lawsuit out of New York City highlights the more routine types of civil and contract litigation that can arise when an employee is dismissed by his employer for cause. The lawsuit also highlights the importance of ...

In New York, local governments may impose significant restrictions on the use of private land. For example, since 1965, New York City has authorized local officials to designate certain buildings as “historic landmarks,” which limits the ability of owners to redevelop or alter their own properties. The law is supposed to still allow owners the ability to earn a “reasonable return” on their ...